Mother Of Beaten Child Testifies In Man's Abuse Trial

November 7, 1985|By Leslie Kemp of The Sentinel Staff

SANFORD — A Sanford woman testified Wednesday that her former boyfriend, angry that her 2-year-old son hadn't picked up his toys, slapped and towel-whipped the toddler, leaving bruises and marks on the child's neck and buttocks.

When Karen Lou Hudson tried to intervene and threatened to contact police, her boyfriend grabbed her by the neck, threw her against a wall and threatened to kill her and her children, Hudson said.

Her testimony came during the first day of trial of Robert Lee Goodwin, 26, who is charged with battery and aggravated child abuse. Goodwin, who lives in South Carolina, faces a maximum penalty of 16 years in prison if convicted as charged.

Hudson, 318 Palmetto Ave., testified that the beating occurred the night of Nov. 10, 1983, while she, Goodwin and her son, Jason Hudson, were living in a Casselberry mobile home.

When Goodwin came home, he became ''disturbed, upset'' that Jason left toys in the front yard, she told a six-member jury hearing the case. Goodwin awakened the sleeping boy, took him outside and ordered him to pick up the toys, she said. When Goodwin became unhappy with the boy's progress, he threw the child over his shoulder, carried him inside and threw him onto a chair or couch, Hudson testified.

Goodwin then decided that the child needed a bath and put Jason in a shower, Hudson said. Jason started screaming and Hudson ran to the bathroom where she saw Goodwin hit her son, she said, adding that when she told Goodwin to stop, he threw her against a wall and threatened to kill her, Jason and her daughter if Hudson contacted police.

Casselberry Police officer Dennis Stewart testified that the day after the alleged beating he was called to the home and observed bruises on Jason's throat, arms, shoulder and buttocks. Stewart said Hudson's neck also appeared to be bruised.

The case will resume at 9 a.m. today with the presentation of defense testimony. When jurors were absent from the courtroom Wednesday, defense attorney Joseph Flood said Goodwin ''feels he's being falsely accused.''